i think the base problem for RN as well as USN is that there are no ENGINEERS anymore just "computer techs" who would not know basic engineering if it hit them with a ball pane hammer! almost all the problems i have heard of could have been avoided with a bit of "good engineering" rather than allegedly cheaper "high tech"

--Previous Message-- : She is a beauty. It may take some time to get : the systems right, though the first : catapults and landing gear were works in : progress for several years. And you are : correct, both the design and construction : were not rushed. I am not sure about the : R&D, but I know it was extensive-- $4-$5 : billion. : : --Previous Message-- : The ship has "issues", no doubt : about that. We'll see how they get fixed : (rather than mitigated). But rushing FORD : design has not been a problem here. Trying : to push technology, and add too many new : systems for Power Point : "transformation" is a problem. : But, jeez, check the dates when the keel got : laid, the launch date.....there's certainly : been no rush here. : FORD should be back into Norfolk next day or : two from initial sea trials. : : : --Previous Message-- : It seems like the tech for the new USS : Gerald : R. Ford has been a bit off to date, and : especially the EM catapults/accelerators. : We've been having a lot of tech problems in : some of the new designs, and I ponder what : is causing that. New systems often have : teething problems, but perhaps we have some : poor designs being rushed into production. : My old connections would know. I understand : some were not happy with this design from : the get-go... She will make a cool model : though. : : USS Ford : : : : :